Desintegrating key

ABSTRACT

A disintegrating key is provided which comprises two perforated flat plates which are disposed in spaced parallel relationship to one another with their respective perforations mutually aligned. A third perforated plate is provided which is adapted to be inserted between the two parallel plates so that the perforations in it align with those of the two parallel plates. The perforations of the third plate are also adapted so that they can selectively be blocked off in a predetermined pattern prior to insertion of the third plate between the other two plates. When the third plate is inserted and properly aligned a predetermined array of unblocked holes is presented which can engage the pins of a lock.

United States Patent [191 Anastasov 451 Dec. 23, 1975 DESINTEGRATING KEY [73] Assignee: Glavna Directzia Kbumkp Pri Sgns,

Bulgaria [22] Filed: Jan. 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 437,243

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 834,918 11/1906 Lindgren 70/405 X 2,155,298 4/1939 Brill 70/405 2,704,934 3/1955 Nilsson 3,093,993 6/1963 Lord 3,505,841 4/1970 Sinclair 70/405 X Primary ExaminerRobert L. Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or FirmArmstrong, Nikaido 8L Wegner [57] ABSTRACT A disintegrating key is provided which comprises two perforated flat plates which are disposed in spaced parallel relationship to one another with their respective perforations mutually aligned. A third perforated plate is provided which is adapted to be inserted between the two parallel plates so that the perforations in it align with those of the two parallel plates. The perforations of the third plate are also adaptedso that they can selectively be blocked off in a predetermined pattern prior to insertion of the third plate between the other two plates. When the third plate is inserted and properly aligned a predetermined array of unblocked holes is presented which can engage the pins of a lock.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures /1'\ """as ttssz'n'" 00000000 #Toooooooo 0000000 oooooooo mooooooo OOOOOOOO DESINTEGRATING KEY This invention relates to a key for safety locks, which is set up before opening the lock and desintegrates in elementar parts (such as strips, balls, disks) when pulling it out of the keyhole so that there remain no traces of the structure of the key.

There exist an extremely large number of different key types of the most complicated shapes and profiles. However, the complicated shape of such keys is only a hindrance for the key owner in using it for unlocking other locks with a similar key. The simplification of the structure of such a key and particularly its decomposition in several simpler keys (pass-keys) make it possible to overcome many locks. Another disadvantage of such keys is the possibility to take impressions from them or make photographs of them, which can then be used to produce forged keys.

In another type of locks radio signals are used as a key. The disadvantages of such systems are: the possibility of tapping the signals the lack of autonomy, the need of expensive and complicated devices and the impossibility to open the lock in the case of failure of the radio parts, which are liable to ageing.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to devise a simple key, which provides a large number of opening combinations, does not permit its copying, does not leave any traces of the key structure, does not require cares for carrying and protection, and that at a simple and easy manipulating.

This object is attained, according to the present invention, by a desintegrating key, comprising two metal or plastics lamellae connected in such a way, that an opening is formed between them into which there enters a lattice, and the lamellae and the lattice are perforated with a larger or smaller number of holes.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the acompanying drawings in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the key without the central lattice;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along AA in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of the central lattice.

Referring to FIG. 2, the desintegrating key of the invention comprises two metal or plastics lamellae 3 and 4, perforated for example with 32 holes 1 (FIG. 1) and connected on their side by saddles 7 and 8 in such a way, that an opening is formed between the lamellae '3 and 4, into which there enters the lattice 11 (FIG. 3)

perforated similarly with 32 holes 2. The lattice ll enters into the opening between the lamellae 3 and 4 up to the limiter 9 so that the holes 2 of the lattice ll coincide with the holes 1 of the lamellae 3 and 4. The diameter of the holes 2 is slightly larger than the diameter of the holes 1. In one of the lamellae 3m 4 there is a slot 5.

The actuation of the lock with the desintegrating key is effected after loading the lattice with paper, plastics or metallic disks in order to obtain the desired opening combination. This is carried out as follows:

The lattice 11 is inserted into the opening between the lamellae 3 and 4 in such a way, that the first holes 2 are located under the slot 5 of lamella 4. Disks are inserted into the holes 2 of the lattice 11 according to the chosen opening combination. The lattice 11 is then pushed until the second row of holes 2 appear under the slot 5, and disks are also inserted in them in the necessary spots, and so on until the whole lattice 11 is loaded; then this lattice is pushed in up to the limiter 9 so that the holes 1 of the lamellae 3 and 4 coincide axially with the holes 2 of lattice 11, after which the desintegrating key is ready for use. The disks do not fall out through the holes 1, since these holes are smaller than the holes 2 and the disks.

The desintegrating key is inserted into the lock up to the edge indicated in FIG. 1 by 6, so that the'slot 5 is inside the closed chamber. When actuating the mechanism of the lock, the feeler pins perform through the key a selective actuation of the cylinders of the lock, and as a result the lock unlocks the latch of the door, thus unlocking the door.

After locking, the lattice 11 is pulled by the limiter 9, while the disks inserted into the holes 2 pass through the slot 5 and fall out from the inner side of the already locked chamber. When further pulling the lattice 11, by means of the cut-off 10 made on it, it engages the slot 5 and pulls the connected lamellae 3 and 4 from the keyhole. Since the disks have fallen out of the lattice 11, the desintegrating key does not carry any information about the structure of the key combination and can be left near the lock itself.

What is claimed is:

l. A disintegrating key comprising two perforated flat plates disposed in spaced parallel relationship to one another so that their respective perforations are aligned and adapted to receive a third plate inserted between said parallel plates, said third plate also being perforated with holes capable of being aligned with the perforations of the parallel plates, said perforations and holes being further adapted to engage when properly aligned the pins of a lock when inserted therein.

2. The key of claim 1 wherein the holes of the third plate are adapted to be blocked off so that a predetermined pattern of blocked and unblocked holes is presented therein.

3. The key of claim 1 wherein the holes of said third plate are larger than the perforations of the other two plates.

4. The key of claim 1 wherein one of the two parallel plates is provided with a slot to permit the blocking off of selected holes in the third plate as it is inserted between said two parallel plates.

5. The key of claim 1 wherein said parallel plates have generally coextensive dimensions. 

1. A disintegrating key comprising two perforated flat plates disposed in spaced parallel relationship to one another so that their respective perforations are aligned and adapted to receive a third plate inserted between said parallel plates, said third plate also being perforated with holes capable of being aligned with the perforations of the parallel plates, said perforations and holes being further adapted to engage when properly aligned the pins of a lock when inserted therein.
 2. The key of claim 1 wherein the holes of the third plate are adapted to be blocked off so that a predetermined pattern of blocked and unblocked holes is presented therein.
 3. The key of claim 1 wherein the holes of said third plate are larger than the perforations of the other two plates.
 4. The key of claim 1 wherein one of the two parallel plates is provided with a slot to permit the blocking off of selected holes in the third plate as it is inserted between said two parallel plates.
 5. The key of claim 1 wherein said parallel plates have generally coextensive dimensions. 